The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) applauded the National Basketball Association (NBA) and its commissioner, David Stern, for fining Kobe Bryant, NBA star, $100,000 for a recent homophobic slur that was captured on camera. Bryant, who received a technical foul, yelled “F****ing f**got!” at the referee. While the audio was not captured on camera, it was obvious to any sports fan watching the game.
After the game, Bryant acknowledged the outburst and said it “did not reflect my feelings toward the gay and lesbian communities.”
But HRC says it isn’t enough – while the acknowledgement is useful for Bryant’s public image, an apology is in order. But the gay community has yet to hear Bryant apologize for his homophobic outburst.
“We applaud Commissioner Stern and the NBA for not only fining Bryant but for recognizing that slurs and derogatory comments have no place on the basketball court or in society at large, “ said Joe Solmonese, HRC President. “We hope such swift and decisive action will send a strong and universal message that this kind of hateful outburst is simply inexcusable no matter what the context.”
